New Delhi: Ride-hailing platform Rapido has been fined ₹10 lakh by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) over app practices that the regulator said encouraged riders to pay more before their rides were confirmed.
The penalty was imposed on Roppen Transportation Services, which operates Rapido, following a wider examination of cab and bike-taxi platforms over pre-ride tipping and dynamic pricing practices.
Riders were asked to increase their payment
According to the CCPA, Rapido first displayed a fare and allowed the rider to book at that amount. While the booking was being processed, the app could then prompt users to offer more, with messages indicating that drivers were not accepting the original fare.
One message stated that a higher price meant a higher chance of getting a ride, while another suggested adding ₹10, ₹20 or ₹30 to the offered amount.
The authority said such prompts could create a sense of urgency and make riders feel they might lose the ride unless they paid more. It classified the practice as “Confirm Shaming”, a dark pattern recognised under the 2023 guidelines.
Colour-coded slider also questioned
The CCPA also examined Rapido’s “Set your price” feature. Increasing the fare displayed a green message suggesting a higher chance of getting a ride, while reducing it triggered red or orange warnings.
The regulator classified this design as “Interface Interference”, saying the visual presentation could steer consumers towards choosing a higher amount.
The CCPA has directed Rapido to discontinue the disputed practices and comply with consumer protection and dark-pattern regulations. Its wider examination of ride-hailing platforms, including Uber and Ola, is continuing.